Needle Files?

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HumbleHomeCook

HumbleHomeCook

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Do you folks have a brand of needle files that hold up better or do you generally go for the lower cost and replace approach?

Specifically talking handle making and hard woods, like filing out the tang slot.
 
HumbleHomeCook said:
Do you folks have a brand of needle files that hold up better or do you generally go for the lower cost and replace approach?

Specifically talking handle making and hard woods, like filing out the tang slot
Click to expand...
I use a broach for opening up tang slots it removes material much more quickly and I can upkeep it with EDM stones.
 
Troopah_Knives said:
I use a broach for opening up tang slots it removes material much more quickly and I can upkeep it with EDM stones.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have a few different saw blades and use them. I'm using the needle files to kinda tune things in. Reckon I'm worried about over doing the slot with the blades and screwing things up.
 
If you’re mostly focusing on the tang slot, Jason Knight has a trick to use a couple of sawzall blades. Been a while since I saw the video but I think it goes through quite quickly compared to a broach which has fewer teeth.
 
Last edited:
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Troopah_Knives said:
I made mine with a leftover worn-out file on my belt grinder. If you don't the tools to make one I'd highly recommend purchasing one if you aren't fitting a lot of handles with metal in the tang slot. I find needle files are very poor choices for removing wood as they tend to clog up very quickly and their material removal rates are slow.
Click to expand...

That's what I'm finding as well. I'll focus on saws going forward.
 
superworrier said:
It seems like this is useful for making a slot "taller" or cutting the piece between the drilled part of the tang slot, but would not really be useful for "widening" a slot, correct? (because it seems like you'd have to turn it sideways)
Click to expand...
That's correct, great for making a slot in a custom handle or extending the length of the hole but they're not great for widening the hole.

I use mini rasps to widen the hole and a broach to lengthen or deepen it.
 
Here's a Southern Hemisphere snap I just took for you "up the right way people".
IMG_20221101_153420.jpg
 
Here's a sample of some of the tools I like to use.

PXL_20221101_023433150.jpg


The left is a set of mini files from big box store. The benefit of these is the low form factor. You can make a hole to barely the size you need without extra. I like this husky brand one because it comes with a handle that's wider than the cheap Amazon ones. However these are very slow to remove material.

The one on the right you might recognize as from the set of Amazon mini rasps that are sold under various China brands. They remove material fast, but if you want a narrow tang hole, like 3mm, you probably won't be able to get it due to the thickness of the tool.

The final one in the middle was my splurge. This is a handle broach from John perry. They remove material fast, can be made narrow, and are deep enough for longer tangs. Length from front of handle to tip of broach is just over 140mm. Compared to the one linked above which is only about 90mm long. (for reference, I've had knives I rehandled that had tangs up to about 115mm). John makes these in 3/32, 1/8, 3/16, and 1/4. Very high quality steel and a lovely walnut handle to go with it. Downside is that this will set you back about $100 before shipping.
 
tostadas said:
Here's a sample of some of the tools I like to use.

View attachment 206233

The left is a set of mini files from big box store. The benefit of these is the low form factor. You can make a hole to barely the size you need without extra. I like this husky brand one because it comes with a handle that's wider than the cheap Amazon ones. However these are very slow to remove material.

The one on the right you might recognize as from the set of Amazon mini rasps that are sold under various China brands. They remove material fast, but if you want a narrow tang hole, like 3mm, you probably won't be able to get it due to the thickness of the tool.

The final one in the middle was my splurge. This is a handle broach from John perry. They remove material fast, can be made narrow, and are deep enough for longer tangs. Length from front of handle to tip of broach is just over 140mm. Compared to the one linked above which is only about 90mm long. (for reference, I've had knives I rehandled that had tangs up to about 115mm). John makes these in 3/32, 1/8, 3/16, and 1/4. Very high quality steel and a lovely walnut handle to go with it. Downside is that this will set you back about $100 before shipping.
Click to expand...

Great info, thank you. And also thank you @superworrier for the excellent questions.
 
tostadas said:
Here's a sample of some of the tools I like to use.

View attachment 206233

The left is a set of mini files from big box store. The benefit of these is the low form factor. You can make a hole to barely the size you need without extra. I like this husky brand one because it comes with a handle that's wider than the cheap Amazon ones. However these are very slow to remove material.

The one on the right you might recognize as from the set of Amazon mini rasps that are sold under various China brands. They remove material fast, but if you want a narrow tang hole, like 3mm, you probably won't be able to get it due to the thickness of the tool.

The final one in the middle was my splurge. This is a handle broach from John perry. They remove material fast, can be made narrow, and are deep enough for longer tangs. Length from front of handle to tip of broach is just over 140mm. Compared to the one linked above which is only about 90mm long. (for reference, I've had knives I rehandled that had tangs up to about 115mm). John makes these in 3/32, 1/8, 3/16, and 1/4. Very high quality steel and a lovely walnut handle to go with it. Downside is that this will set you back about $100 before shipping.
Click to expand...
I can’t attest to the fast bit for the Amazon ones but perhaps I need to clean off the buildup/ perhaps just buy a new set
 
superworrier said:
It seems like this is useful for making a slot "taller" or cutting the piece between the drilled part of the tang slot, but would not really be useful for "widening" a slot, correct? (because it seems like you'd have to turn it sideways)
Click to expand...
Mine only has barbs on one side and my tangs tend to be pretty thick so I can actually turn them sideways and open up the hole.
 
Troopah_Knives said:
Mine only has barbs on one side and my tangs tend to be pretty thick so I can actually turn them sideways and open up the hole.
Click to expand...

I'm working on one now where the tang at it's widest point is under 3mm. About 2.3mm". I did decide to burn it in some but still some east-west filing. That's what prompted the question. :)
 
This is my basic handle design - hidden split dowel. Once the shaping is complete, I start filing the ferrule with a dremel. After it’s roughed out, I finish with cheap Chinese files.
 

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JoBone said:
This is my basic handle design - hidden split dowel. Once the shaping is complete, I start filing the ferrule with a dremel. After it’s roughed out, I finish with cheap Chinese files.
Click to expand...
Which dremel attachment do you use for that?
 
As far as rasps go, I had the same issue as you with the ones from Amazon. I bought a couple from Woodcraft retail store that are much better, a little longer, and they seem to have more bite. I know they have an online site as well.
 
birdsfan said:
As far as rasps go, I had the same issue as you with the ones from Amazon. I bought a couple from Woodcraft retail store that are much better, a little longer, and they seem to have more bite. I know they have an online site as well.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Turns out there's an outlet near my work so I made a run at lunch. 👍
 
birdsfan said:
Did they have them there? Mine carries a set (which is pretty pricey) and individual files in several useful shapes....thin round, flat square, and flat tapered.
Click to expand...

They had quite a variety and I'll have to go back when I can spend some more time perusing but today I picked up this set of large files:

https://www.woodcraft.com/products/...MIqdqcx7OQ-wIVniytBh0yjAs6EAQYASABEgKC9fD_BwE
EDIT: Whoops that's to a rasp set and I got files. Basically the same set in terms of size and shape.
 
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